If your Kenmore dishwasher soap dispenser is not opening, not dispensing soap, or the detergent door is not opening during the cycle, start with the dispenser parts most likely to fail. A broken dispenser lever is the most common cause, since it can keep the dispenser from opening or closing properly. Next, check the detergent dispenser cover, detergent container, and dispenser lid for cracks, wear, or other damage that can stop the soap door from releasing. If one internal piece is damaged and you would rather not take the dispenser apart, replacing the complete detergent dispenser is often the simpler fix. A bad control board can also keep the dishwasher detergent dispenser from working, but that is much less common and should be ruled out only after the dispenser components have been inspected. If your Kenmore dishwasher is not dispensing soap and dishes are still dirty after the dishwasher cycle, entering your model number on RepairClinic.com is the fastest way to find the exact replacement dispenser lever, dispenser lid, detergent dispenser cover, control board, or full detergent dispenser that fits your specific machine.
01 - Kenmore Dishwasher Dispenser Lever
If the dishwasher dispenser lever is broken, it can cause the dispenser not to open or close properly. Inspect the dispenser lever for damage. If the lever is broken, replace it.
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The control board provides power to nearly every component of the dishwasher. If there is a problem with the control board, it might not send voltage to the detergent dispenser, preventing the dispenser from opening. However, this is not likely the case. Control boards are often misdiagnosed—make sure you check more commonly defective parts before replacing the control board